Rune Soup

Hello from Cusco, where the streets are laid out like a puma and hawkers offer massages on every corner. I've been thinking about Huáscar, the last true Sapa Inca, who willingly took sacred knowledge into the underworld until the time was right for its return. What if the strange convergence we're witnessing - the grimoire revival, the sudden value of grandmother's recipes, and yes, even the rise of what I'm calling "orthodank" online - are all manifestations of the same archetypal energy? Things coming up from below, returning from the shadows at this precise moment in time. The question is: which returns will we embrace? Chapters The Temple City of Cusco - Exploring the ancient capital and how authentic experience lurks just beneath tourist traps The Tale of Two Brothers - The story of Waskar and Atahualpa, the civil war that weakened the Inca Empire, and how Waskar preserved sacred knowledge Three Stories of Waskar's Fate - Drowning, beheading, or escape: tracing the different narratives through history and oral tradition The Return of Waskar in the 90s - Alberto Violdo's observations and the rising indigenous pride in Peru The Fortean Dominant - How things pushed into the underworld are returning in our time Conservative Returns - The relationship between rising conservatism and the return of things worth conserving Grandmother's Foods - How millennials became the generation that values heritage foods and traditional ways Magic's Return - The grimoire revival and the return of ancestral magical knowledge Shadow and Integration - How to navigate the darker aspects of what returns from the underworld

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

This week, I'm welcoming fellow substacker and Tolkien nerd, Charles McBride, whose essay 'Shire Anarchy' caught my eye in the cultural curiosity that is the substack notes app. We're diving into the political imagination behind Middle-Earth – a world where having a king is perfectly fine, as long as he's quite far away or, better yet, long dead. From childhood obsessions with Tolkien to the strange bedfellows his work creates in modern fandom, Charles and I explore what it means when the villain of the story isn't a particular people, but the very desire for total control. How did this Franco-supporting Catholic writer end up crafting one of the most compelling visions of localism and self-governance in modern literature? And what might the hobbits teach us about freedom in an age of empire? "I think Shire anarchy is best described in a sentence I wrote in the piece, where I said that all the affairs of hobbits are organized under the assumption that having a king was basically a good idea, so long as he was quite far away, or better yet, long dead. And I think that that kind of cuts to the heart of what this concept of Shire anarchy is. You have a society that holds a reverence for the past. And they believe that their system of political and social organization is derived from something authoritative in their deep, distant past." Show Notes Charles’s amazing essay, Shire Anarchy. Charles on Instagram. Timestamps 02:00 - Charles' essay "Shire Anarchy" and initial connection 04:00 - Childhood experiences with Tolkien and homeschooling background 08:30 - Gordon's similar Tolkien childhood experiences 11:00 - Discussion of Substack platform and media evolution 14:00 - Tolkien's political views and introduction to "quiet radicalism" 15:30 - Explanation of Tolkien as an "anarcho-monarchist" 18:30 - Monarchy, pragmatism, and Tolkien's support for Franco 22:30 - The Ring as metaphor for power, greed, and capital 25:00 - Lord of the Rings' resilience against political appropriation 27:30 - Peter Jackson's film adaptation achievement 29:00 - Charles' viral thread about polarized Tolkien fandom 32:00 - CS Lewis vs. Tolkien on moral clarity and writing 35:30 - Lewis as a potential universalist and perennial philosophy 38:30 - Religious conversion, cultural identity, and belonging 42:30 - Modern politics, monarchy, and fascism as shadow kingship 45:00 - Definition and explanation of "Shire anarchy" concept 50:30 - Charles' personal political journey toward anarchism 54:00 - Political polarization and contemporary discourse 57:00 - Defining philosophical anarchism and attitudes toward hierarchy 59:30 - Religion as natural human function and political movements 63:00 - Discussion of The Hobbit movies and fan edits 69:00 - Concluding thoughts and where to find Charles online

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

Everyone’s favourite gnostic raconteur, Miguel Conner, returns to the show this week to discuss his latest book, The Occult Elvis. The book becomes an entryway into a wide-ranging discussion on the role of shamans, cultural transformation, fate and the destiny of America. (Mere trifles!) Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Occult Elvis 04:03 The Spirituality of Rock Music 07:54 Elvis as a Magician and Shaman 11:52 The Blue Light Phenomenon 15:54 Elvis's Influence on American Identity 19:53 Elvis's Mystical Interests and Books 23:47 The Legacy of Elvis in Modern Culture 34:37 Exploring Fate and Free Will 37:56 The Wounded Healer: Elvis and Addiction 40:06 The Search for Self: Elvis's Identity Crisis 46:52 Elvis as a Cultural Trickster 51:10 The Archetype of the Shaman in Modern Fame 57:52 Elvis: A Reflection of Post-War America Show Notes Get the book. Miguel’s author website. Miguel on Substack.

Transcribed - Published: 30 March 2025

In this episode, I explore the shifting landscape of conspiracy culture and what I've been noticing about an emerging "conspiracy canon." Recording from my new apartment in Paraguay, I dive into observations from my recent event with Greg Carlwood in Florida, examining how conspiracy thinking has evolved from political analysis to metaphysical questioning. Using Charles Fort's framework of "dominants," I discuss how we're witnessing a paradigm shift toward a more meaning-centered worldview as a response to scientific materialism. Whether you consider yourself a conspiracy person or not, this episode offers insights into epistemology, metaphysics, and our relationship to meaning in the cosmos. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene from Paraguay 02:15 - Recent event with Greg Carlwood in Florida 04:30 - The concept of a "Conspiracy Canon" 07:10 - Observing alignment among respected thinkers 09:05 - When brilliant people question fundamental assumptions 12:30 - Robert Anton Wilson on conspiracy culture shifting from left to right 15:45 - The "Alex Jones era" and libertarian influence 18:20 - The 80s-90s "Lone Gunman Era" conspiracy canon 21:40 - Today's conspiracy canon: no virus, flat Earth, aliens as demons, Tartaria 24:15 - The internet's "hold my beer" effect on conspiracy thinking 27:50 - Shift from "how things are" to "who we are in the cosmos" 31:10 - Natural drift toward meaning-seeking 34:30 - Pushback against scientific materialism 37:50 - Charles Fort and reality paradigm shifts 40:15 - Fort's "dominants" and "damned data" 43:40 - Accumulated "damned facts" challenging mainstream narratives 46:20 - The "religious dominant" as initial framework 49:30 - The "scientific dominant" and its exclusionist tendency 52:45 - Fort recognizing scientism's limitations ahead of his time 56:10 - The emergent "dominant of wider inclusions" 59:25 - Visit to Cassadega and Greg's psychic reading experience 01:02:40 - Kelly Brogan and Mark Gober's alternative cosmology 01:05:15 - Being "80% flat earther" on meaningful universe principles 01:09:30 - Flat Earth as Biblical literalism seeking meaning 01:12:45 - Critique of Tartaria theories 01:15:20 - Meme culture and uncritical sharing of conspiracy content 01:18:40 - "Realm theory" as a container for anomalous data 01:21:25 - Being "Gandalf among the hobbits" during paradigm shifts 01:24:50 - Fortean flow model for approaching change 01:27:30 - Closing thoughts on being a container for transformation

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

Hi from the Amazon jungle. Honestly, if I’d known that AI would do such a good job of describing this podcast, I would have left it in charge and stayed longer. Although I will say, I asked it to write it in the style of the speaker, and it made me sound way more polite than I usually am to you scrubs. Enjoy! (PS - you will find the same show in your podcatcher, as normal.) In the heart of the Amazon, under a tin roof pummeled by tropical rain, I offer you a cosmic upgrade to Nietzsche's Amor Fati. While the German philosopher tells us to love our fate unconditionally, I'm proposing something more alchemical: co-creation with disappointment. It's not about passively accepting what happens, nor gaslighting yourself into loving the unlovable. Rather, it's asking "what choices do I have in the direction of beauty given the limitations before me in this moment?" Drawing from my own messy Paraguayan adventures during a Mars direct station in Cancer (sit down Scorpio risings, this one was truly mine to bear), I explore how this principle transforms practical enchantment beyond simple success/fail metrics into continuous creation. Whether you're dealing with planetary transits or broken water towers in indigenous villages, this approach connects the Dine concept of the Beauty Way with our magical capacity to participate in the unfolding of reality. Roll your suitcase through cosmic mud with me on this one. 00:02 - Introduction and recording conditions in the Amazon 00:48 - Explaining the concept of "Amor Fati" and Nietzsche's philosophy 02:23 - Comparing Nietzsche's idea with Stoicism's similar concept 04:37 - Why Gordon believes he's "more right" than both Nietzsche and the Stoics 06:49 - Co-creation with disappointment as an upgrade to "love your fate" 09:14 - Mars direct station and Cass Tyndall's insight on struggle 11:40 - How metaphysical laws relate to physical and psychological laws 14:06 - The moment-by-moment decision of co-creation and manifestation 16:05 - Lessons from Shipibo culture and challenging gaslight responses 18:21 - Finding beauty within disappointment and discomfort 20:47 - Moving beyond success/fail metrics in practical enchantment 21:58 - Continuous co-creation as a definition of magic

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

A solo show from Asunción, Paraguay. I wanted to share some thoughts that I have been sitting with while remastering all the premium member courses, beginning with Grimoires. These thoughts turned into a full-length solo show. Hope you like it! AI certainly seems to have had an absolute blast listening to it: In this thought-provoking episode, Gordon White explores the concept of magical readiness and authenticity in practice. Recording from Paraguay, he delves into what it truly means to be "ready" for magic, challenging common assumptions about magical practice and discussing the difference between genuine magical work and what he terms as "cope" - using magical aesthetics as a form of psychological compensation. White examines the evolution of Western magical practices, critiques Victorian-era approaches, and discusses the importance of finding one's authentic magical expression. He also touches on current spiritual awakening, the role of shadow work in magical practice, and the emerging significance of biblical archetypes in contemporary magic. Show Notes I will be in the Tampa area for some free events on the weekend of March 8th and 9th.  RSVP to the Higher Soup event here. Buy a ticket for the bus to and from the venue here.

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Ringing in the new year with a banger! John Michael Greer returns to the show to explore Whether we can say if 'western' magic has a discernable metaphysics. What those might be. Seeing as AI did such a good job of giving us a definition of metaphysics (which you will get in the show), here's what she thinks the episode is about: "The dialogue emphasizes the importance of directionality, the existence of intelligent non-human beings, and the overarching themes that unify magical practices across cultures. In this conversation, Gordon White delves into the complexities of historical knowledge, the concept of polarity in cosmology, and the nuances of sex magic. He discusses the limitations of historical records, the significance of polarity as a universal principle, and the often-misunderstood relationship between sexuality and magic. White also challenges cultural assumptions about elitism in esoteric practices and highlights the contributions of lesser-known figures like Pascal Beverly Randolph to the field of magic. The discussion culminates in a reflection on the meaningfulness of the cosmos and the interplay of energy in our experiences." Honestly? Pretty good. Show Notes John's website, Ecosophia. The Philosophy and Practice of Polarity Magic: A Secret Wisdom of Sex. The Earth Mysteries Workbook: A One Year Course in the Enchantment of the Land.

Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2025

Austin Coppock returns to the show for our traditional six-monthly astrological forecast, this time for the first half of 2025. We are calling this one Just The Tip (Of The Chainsword)! 00:00 Introduction to 2025 Astrology Predictions 02:56 The Significance of Warhammer 40K in 2025 05:45 Astrological Context: The Transition from 2024 to 2025 09:00 Civil Unrest and Mars Retrograde 11:53 Neptune and Saturn's Influence in 2025 15:00 The Impact of Neptune's Ingress into Aries 18:00 The Role of Heroism and Leadership in 2025 20:50 The Collapse of Narratives and Storytelling in Society 39:31 The Present as a Story: Chaos and Meaning 41:02 Saturn in Aries: The Fall and Its Implications 44:50 Historical Parallels: The 47 Ronin and Vigilantism 49:10 The Breakdown of Order: Anti-Authoritarian Sentiment 52:32 The Need for New Rules: Transitioning from Bad to Good 54:15 Eclipses and Their Significance: March and April 2025 01:01:56 Venus Retrograde: A Journey of Self-Discovery 01:03:24 Eclipses in Virgo and Aries: A Shift in Dynamics 01:10:08 Jupiter in Cancer: A Time for Growth and Stability 01:16:06 The Great Rearrangement: A New World Order 01:23:49 Exploring Uranus in Gemini 01:30:53 Historical Context of Uranus in Gemini 01:37:27 The Power of Language and Technology 01:48:44 Cultural Reflections and Media Consumption 01:55:21 Future Plans and Aspirations SIGN UP to be notified of Austin's future class availability here!

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2024

In this episode, Gordon discusses the evolution of his podcast, the connections between magical individuals, and the themes presented in Grant Morrison's comic series, The Invisibles. He explores The loneliness epidemic in modern society. The role of digital connectivity. The concept of the invisible college as a metaphor for shared vision and belonging among like-minded individuals. We also look at the intersections of various spiritual practices, the disintegration of civilisational fields, and the importance of finding resonance within an invisible college of shared beliefs and values. He discusses the overlap between different spiritual traditions, the current state of societal fragmentation, and the necessity of community and belonging in navigating these challenges. Join the completely free Rune Soup substack to stay up to date. Join the Rune Soup Premium Membership.

Transcribed - Published: 14 December 2024

Gabriel Kennedy joins the show to discuss Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson, the first-ever book-length biography of ol' RAW. We explore Wilson's life, philosophy, and literary contributions. Kennedy shares his personal journey of discovering Wilson's work, the process of writing the biography, and the significance of concepts like Chapel Perilous and general semantics. The discussion also touches on the relevance of Wilson's ideas in today's world and the lasting impact of his writings on counterculture and conspiracy theories.  We're back, baby! 00:00 Introduction to Robert Anton Wilson 02:45 First Encounters with Wilson's Work 05:59 Navigating Wilson's Bibliography 08:55 The Journey to Writing a Biography 12:00 Researching Robert Anton Wilson 14:43 The Influence of General Semantics 17:48 Personal Connections and Discoveries 21:01 The Process of Biographical Writing 24:01 Understanding Wilson's Legacy 27:03 Final Thoughts on Robert Anton Wilson 44:20 The 23 Enigma and Synchronicities 49:27 Writing and Synchronicities in Biography 56:22 The Impact of Robert Anton Wilson's Work 01:02:00 Conspiracy Theories and Critical Thinking 01:10:33 Chapel Perilous: A Journey of Discovery NOTE: You can alternatively watch this discussion on YouTube.

Transcribed - Published: 7 December 2024

The show returns with some actionable findings from almost a year of regular sigil work. We look at The ways you mess up your own magical results by not admitting what you want. The ways you mess up your own magical results by not admitting where you are at. What to do about it. And toward the end, I lay out the plans for the premium member glow-up over Q4 and Q1, including completely re-recording and remastering all the existing member courses.

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2024

We're trialling a new format this week, as I am in the Bay of Fires for work. A visit to a beer-drinking pig inspired some ruminations on how and why we connect as this idiotic, digital hellscape builds itself around us. The episode discusses the manipulation and sanitization of reality through digital currencies, IDs, and the evolving media landscape, including the shift to 'private' or enclosed digital engagement opportunities like Mighty Networks and Substack, aiming for authenticity in an increasingly controlled and artificial world. 00:00 Introduction: The World Without Sin 00:21 Filming in the Bay of Fires 00:27 The Pub in the Paddock and Priscilla the Pig 01:58 Exploring the Concept of 'The World Without Sin' 05:18 Digital IDs and Global Changes 09:08 Cultural Reflections and Media Strategy 16:50 The Gap Between Public and Private Discourse 22:55 Media Evolution and Personal Adaptations 39:09 Conclusion: Navigating the World Without Sin In lieu of show notes, here is a picture of a pub, followed by a pig. You're welcome.

Transcribed - Published: 14 September 2024

This week, we welcome to the show Mexican-Bolivian-Chilean healer, Red Path shaman and teacher Julián Katari. Fun fact about Julián: He was my translator for my recent trip up to stay with the Kallawaya in the Bolivian High Andes. So we talk about that, of course. We also talk about his own remarkable journey of spirit: ⭐ Vision quests ⭐ Aztec dance ceremonies ⭐ Peyote ⭐ Andean shamanism We then discuss the sacred Mayan calendar and what it teaches us about the structure of the universe. Super cool chat. Julián is the archetypal weird kid! NOTE: Julián will be teaching a 20-week course on the Mayan calendar that will be available to purchase for $99 on the Rune Soup Premium Member Mighty Network. This is a discount of $400 and will only be available for purchase for the duration of the Time Magic course. Afterward the course will be available on his own site at its full price. This is one of the best deals I have ever made available to premium members and it is, just on its own, worth joining. I've been in ceremony with Julián in the High Andes. He's a great teacher. Show Notes Julián's website. Julián on Instagram. 00:00 Introduction and Childhood 06:00 Embarking on a Spiritual Journey 19:04 Finding the Red Path 22:43 Exploring the Maya Cosmology 30:55 Teachings from a Maya Elder 39:18 Connecting with Nature and Community 44:38 Exploring the Complexity of the Mayan Calendar 49:52 Understanding the Mayan Worldview: A Code for Time and Space 57:16 The Practice of Day Keeping in the Mayan Calendar 01:03:31 The Role of Human Perception in the Creation of Time and Space 01:24:38 Uncovering My Bolivian Roots 01:27:23 The Magic and Mystery of Bolivia 01:34:17 Journeying with the Kallawaya Healers 01:46:26 Exploring the Maya Calendar

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2024

Witch, author, biochemist and oriental medicine specialist, Maja D'Aoust, joins us to discuss Time Magic and the I Ching. We explore: The impact childhood illness can have on the practice of magic. The difference between ancient Chinese and more 'Western' experiences of time. The origin of the I Ching as a gift from serpent spirits. The sort of answers you can get with the I Ching. What sort of coins to use. Great stuff! Enjoy! Show Notes Maja's website. Maja's latest book: Astrology of the Shadow Self. Maja's I Ching book.

Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2024

The dynamic duo behind Weird Studies, Phil Ford and J F Martel, join the show to explore the ways in which art is a form of evocation. We look at: Orson Welles as divine shamanic faker. Hollywood's vaudeville origins. What is a trick and what is a lie and can you even use those words if they show you the 'truth'? 'Western' and non-'Western' understandings of the imaginal and the artist. Where 'inspiration' and even 'thoughts' come from and what that might mean. An amazing chat. Enjoy! Show Notes Weird Studies episode about Orson Welles mentioned in the show: Art Is Another Word For Truth. Weirdosphere - Weird Studies Member Community.

Transcribed - Published: 9 August 2024

Media theorist and internet legend Douglas Rushkoff joins the show this week. We explore: Is there even such a thing as 'media' anymore? The promises and (many) failings of the tech world. UBIs, digital utopias and dystopias. Where we look for hope and optimism now. Where magic sits in our shared realities. An amazing chat with one of the greats! Enjoy! Show Notes Rushkoff.com Team Human

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2024

Two contemporary deck creators, Balthazar Blacke and Natalia Lee, join the show this week for a round table on fortune telling and the role oracle cards specifically should have in your cartomantic practice. We explore: The things oracle cards can do that tarot cannot. (And vice versa!) Which situations call for which type of deck. Some historic resistance to using oracle cards among western practitioners. Some advice on different spreads and the role of significators. A super fun chat with some some fun people! Show Notes Balthazar's website. Divine Gypsy Mother. Balthazar's YouTube channel. Natalia's website. Saint Cyprian's Deck of Cards.

Transcribed - Published: 25 July 2024

Legendary cultural curator, media theorist and provocateur Richard Metzger joins the show this week. Richard, of course, co-founded The Disinformation Company, founded Dangerous Minds and has spent decades observing and participating in the changing media landscape. He is with us now to talk about his latest project, Magick Show, an extended documentary project featuring discussions with Grant Morrison Douglas Rushkoff Mitch Horowitz Gary Lachman Bri Luna Geraldine Beskine And many more -including the last-ever interview with Kenneth Anger! We cover magic, the failed promises of the internet, mind wars, propaganda and the perennial Rune Soup question: what is ours to do? Find out more about Magick Show here, including ways in which you can support the project. Enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 19 July 2024

This week's solo show forms part of a collection of observations lining us up for the beginning of the five-month, gargantuan Time Magic course we're starting in August. Here, we explore the quiet politics of magical thinking: The origin of the term. How it sort of is and sort of isn't like magical realism. Examples of it in the history of western esotericism. How you can make that inward turn toward magical thinking, and what any blocks in that process might be telling you. Enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 12 July 2024

Chance Gardner and Vanese McNeil, producers of the legendary documentary series Magical Egypt, join the show this week. We discuss Getting history right and wrong. The legacy of John Anthony West and R. A. Schwaller de Lubicz. Materialism and its impact on studying history. The latest series of Magical Egypt -which Gordon is in! I mention at the outset that this episode was actually recorded six months ago. The plan was to release it at the same time as a video on hermeticism that I was going to shoot at an Ancient Egypt exhibition in Canberra (which is mentioned in my animism series). But that didn't happen, and then I thought I would do it at the Island of the Sun in Bolivia, and so on. Anyway, it's not six months later and I am choosing to blame the curse of the mummy, lol. A super fun chat, nonetheless. And a real high point in my own life to actually be in the legendary Magical Egypt series myself. Show Notes Watch the latest series of Magical Egypt here. Follow Magical Egypt on YouTube.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2024

Six moons have passed and so the Council of the Wise was summoned once again. Also I was there. Austin Coppock returns to the show for the traditional half-yearly forecast. Join us as we talk about Mars retrogrades, eclipses, elections and proxy wars. Stick around till the end for some TV recommendations, because why not? Enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2024

The legendary Christopher Knowles of the Secret Sun joins us this week to explain how to be a synchromystic. We learn ✅ What is synchronicity? ✅ What role synchronicity plays in modern mysticism. ✅ The importance of symbol sets in this pursuit. ✅ How this modern practice is really an ancient one described. Whilst it's always a pleasure to have Chris back on the show, this particular episode happens on the occasion of the release of his latest book. The Secret Sun Synchromystic Handbook! Get it here. Follow Chris here.

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2024

Gregory Shaw, Professor of Religious Studies at Stonehill College, joins the show to discuss, theurgy, the work of Iamblichus, and how we have probably got the Neoplatonists' attitude to the body quite wrong. We discuss The DESCENT of rather than ASCENT TO the gods. The theurgic imagination and how it relates to the spirit world. The role of divination in the development of the soul. How Imablichus can teach us a better way to compare between cultures. The necessity for ceremony. Professor Shaws joins us to discuss his latest book, Hellenic Tantra, which I am pretty sure is the best book I've read this year. Get it here.

Transcribed - Published: 12 June 2024

Let's make the most of my jet lag and jump right back into regular live streams the morning after I arrive back on the farm! In this episode, we discuss How and why Wade Davis is my hero. The definition of adventure and why that matters for magicians. How adventuring creates reality. Sacred travel, how it is and isn't different from adventure. Tips and advice for your own adventures. Then I also share some stories from the High Andes, from Lake Titicaca, from the steamy cities of Paraguay and the mountains of Southern Brazil. Note: As this was a live stream episode, and the Q&A starts around the 92 minute mark. And it's May, so don't forget to contribute to the Missing Witches fundraising and reparations drive!

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2024

Hadean Press's Erzebet Barthold returns to the show this week, on the occasion of the release of Cyprian's Offices of the Spirits -the posthumously published final volume in Jake Stratton-Kent's Night School. We talk about goetia, we talk about the sublunar, we talk about English Qaballa -all the Jake hits, really. And, inevitably, we reminisce about the man himself: His main ideas and contributions. Who influenced him and who he influenced. What future generations will make of his work. Who he was as a friend and a person. All in all, a lovely chat, and especially timely as the snappily-titled premium member course Grimoires: Our Greek Inheritance (The Jake Edit) starts this weekend! Show Notes Get the second volume of Night School, Cyprian's Offices of Spirits here. Join Rune Soup here. Gift a 3 month Rune Soup membership to someone here.

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2024

Coming to you from the shores of Lake Titicaca! Some lessons on how to get good at magic, specifically sigil magic, learned on the road in Bolivia. The short answer is your first hundred sigils will teach you more about magic than any book ever will. The long answer is.... this podcast. Here I share my notes and observations from spending time in mountaintop villages with lineaged shamans descending directly from the Incas, San Pedro ceremonies in the mountains and client encounters in the Witches Market in La Paz. We talk about: Desire cross-currents Incorporating oracle cards into your enchantments How to REALLY 'forget' about your spells so they actually come off. Show Notes How To Make Magical Sigils: A COMPETE Beginners Guide. The Missing Witches fundraiser is back this year!

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2024

Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio's Miguel Conner returns to the show this week for an in-depth unpacking of claims made by Jordan Peterson, James Lindsay and others in the online Right that Marxism is actually Gnosticism. We look at The origins of these claims. Exactly WHERE and HOW they are wrong. The origins of Gnosticism. The 'true' origins of 'woke' thought. We also explore some possible points of consent with the analysis Jordan Peterson presents regarding Lucifer and the archetypal significance of clowns, jesters and evil. Many thanks to Miguel for coming back on the show again. I have actually tried several different ways of doing this topic as a solo show since catching the discussion between Jordan Peterson and James Lindsay back in June of 2023. But imagine trying to have a discussion on the history of Gnosticism without Miguel? Turns out that was the very obvious unlock I needed all along. Enjoy! Show Notes Catch Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio here. This is the video examining Jordan Peterson's shadow projection that I mention during the show.

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2024

This week's episode is an installment in the long-running World Without Sin series, examining how we respond to monolithic media and how not every outsider is a plucky freedom fighter. We also look at how and why it might be that all forms of expression are collapsing into a meme singularity and what this might have to do with the jester archetype. After that there is a life update and a travel magic story. And then -on the video version only- we have a Q&A where we speculate on the whereabouts of Kate Middleton, what's really going on with Boeing, healing from trauma patterns and G. K. Chesterton. Also, I promised I'd share some of the memes that were hard to convey in audio format, but instead, I am just sharing a link to the presentation from the livestream. It's all here if you're interested. The show notes are just some other things that are coming up or going on, because why not? Peter Grey's talk at Occulture Berlin 2023: Atomic Gods: Magick beyond the nuclear horizon. J. F. Martel of Weird Studies has a new course coming up this months on the films of Stanley Kubrick. This Missing Witches fundraiser that Rune Soup listeners contributed so generously is coming back around again. I probably mentioned this one a few weeks too early as I have no detail on prizes and such yet, lol. But the link is here! Hadean Press have just released the final Jake Stratton-Kent book we'll ever get, Cyprian's Offices of Spirits. My own fancy, pre-ordered copy is winging its way to the farm where it is useless to me for the Q2 member course will be Grimoires 2: Your Greek Inheritance (The Jake Edit) as I am currently back in South America. Lol. Anyway, more details on that closer to the date.

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2024

Hello from the road! Just wanted to get out a little solo show of what I have been up to, which also morphed into how to deal with foreseen rather than unforeseen dramas. We also cover some updates on the Sigil A Day project, and speculate on the development of media and podcasts in our post-Putin-interview World Without Sin. Enjoy! Chat soon!

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2024

You may recall that Angie from Angie Speaks guested on the podcast last year. Well, she graciously invited me on a show she co-hosts, Mystic and the Machine, where we have a good ol' chat about UFOs, Jung, the looming apocalypse and how all of these things are interrelated. It was such a good chat, I'm releasing it as a main podcast episode this week. Should you wish to watch it instead, catch the interview at the Mystic and the Machine YouTube channel.

Transcribed - Published: 12 January 2024

Here we are in 2024, eh? And it’s off to a bang for people starting on the #SigilADay2024 Project and, to a lesser extent, Japan Airlines. In this solo show, we cover: Locating your intentions and goals for 2024. Turning them into enchantment topic areas. How to create sigils from scratch. The initial sigil activation I am offering for those embarking on this project and why. (Hint: It needs to be quick but not as quick as some of you ejaculate. That’s right, I made a sigil joke.) NOTE: the audio version does not contain the Q&A which starts at the one hour mark of the livestream, should you wish to check that out. As far as show notes go, I would recommend you also check out a video I shot over the Christmas break about setting and achieving powerful goals in 2024. It teams with the practical enchantment theme. Enjoy! Let's do this!

Transcribed - Published: 4 January 2024

You know the festive season has begun when Austinmas rolls around! Join Gordon White and Austin Coppock for a look into the first half of 2024 and how to navigate it. We look at Risk of war. What we can and can't learn from 2024. The best time of year to GTD. The Year of the Dragon. Mars, Mars and also some Mars to go with your Mars. Plus there's this whole subplot about fish. Enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2023

After tabling the possibility in the last live stream and thrashing out some of the details with the Rune Soup Premium Member brain trust, we'll be moving forward with the goal of launching one sigil a day for every day of next year. The audio version of the announcement -ie this one- is a bit more involved than the video one. That's because 58% of YouTube watchers aren't subscribed, so I had to pitch it a bit more as 'beginner'. But if you're subscribed to the podcast I wanted to speak more at your level. But if you want the video one, you can watch me wandering around on the first beach day of Tasmanian Summer. (It poured with rain almost immediately after I finished filming). Or you can consume both. It's the festive season. Treat yourself. The only relevant show note is a link to the Rune Soup telegram group, where the ongoing sigil project will be discussed. It's free and available to members and non-members. Enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2023

We come at last to the final in the AI For Magicians series of solo shows. This time we explore how we co-create with non-human beings and what that AI co-creation looks like for magicians. As is traditional, there is a video slide presentation that goes along with this episode, which you absolutely do not need to watch if you're vibing more with the audio. Show Notes Ursula K. LeGuin and Donna Haraway discuss technology. James Bridle discussing Ecological Technology on the Emergence Magazine podcast. Previous episodes in the AI series: Tools of the Magician Transhumanism, Technocracy and AI: The Complete Story Can We Trust AI To Censor Reality?

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2023

This weekend was the livestream of my year in review, as well as a suggested shape for How to conduct your own. Why you should do it now as a separate act to your new year intention setting. As is now traditional, we did a Q&A on YouTube at the end which is only available on the video version, starting around 1:40. Two things came up that have already sparked some discussions regarding next year's plans. We're spinning up teams for: Launching one sigil a day for a whole year. A new year's detox. More on both of these if and as they happen. Enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2023

Who says you can’t teach an old (27) dog new tricks? For something a bit different, I’m sharing the audio version of, not my podcast, but I podcast I was on. Specifically The Coffee and Divination Podcast with JoAnna Farrer. One of my goals for next year is to push the boat a bit more with the format of the podcast. This year we brought in more regular solo shows, more livestreams, and so on. I want to start throwing in some shorter episodes in addition to the main ones, and I want to start sharing other shows I was on that I think are really good discussions. It won’t happen every time, of course. But JoAnna is a very experienced practitioner herself so we have a really chat. And not enough of you click through when I just point to them. So I made it easy for you! You don’t have to do anything! But actually what you should do is subscribe to Coffee and Divination if you like this episode. Do that here. And if you’d like the video version, you can watch that here. Enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2023

This week's episode is the audio version of a live stream discussion with Samuel Urban of the Illegitimate Scholar podcast. We talk about The educational industrial complex. So-called 'alternative' history. Find the good in the total failure of academia over the past few years. Invisible colleges. What comes next and what to do. A really fun chat -and one that only had a few technical issues for once, some of which weren't even on my side! Thanks, Elon! (We got Starlink while I was in Paraguay.) Show Notes The Illegitimate Scholar podcast. Illegitimate Scholar on YouTube.

Transcribed - Published: 15 November 2023

Legendary co-originator of permaculture, David Holmgren, returns to the show this week on the ery special occasion of the launch of the feature-length documentary, Reading Landscape. In the show notes below, you will find the link and the password to watch the full documentary for free. Please share it widely with anyone who may be interested, with the blessing of the producers. David and I discuss The development of the film What is meant by 'landscape' What is meant by 'reading' What has changed in permaculture over the decades Learning from Indigenous teachers in Australia and New Zealand And a whole lot more. It was a personal pleasure to be involved in the financing of this film as an individual and during my tenure at Permaculture Tasmania. Show Notes Watch the full documentary here. Use the Password: Melliodora Holmgren Design.

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2023

Astrologer and YouTuber Cam White joins the show this week to bring some helpful reframings to the space weather we'll all be enduring over the next few years. We discuss How astrology works The role of a fortune teller in troubled times What sort of conflicts and wars are likely to appear when Whether the so-called Barbault Basket configuration ushers in a new golden age or not. Super fun and spicy times. Enjoy the White Pill! Show Notes Cam's website. Cam's YouTube channel. Context on the Barbault Basket from S.J. Anderson.

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2023

Author, activist and educator, Dougald Hine returns to the show this week for a discussion that is simultaneously timely and timeless. If you've been following along on the blog, you'll know that I have been wrestling with how to say things, with whom and to what end, given how the world is going. One of the topics I had been meaning to record on for months now was the resurgence of Christianity: whether it is surprising or not, whether it is automatically reactionary, whether it is a sign of things improving or devolving. And I tried coming at that from several angles -including recording a whole solo show before leaving Paraguay on the topic that I didn't release- but found none of them were satisfactory. Then I messaged Dougald about it, and it turns out it's an area he is also exploring, both personally and 'culturally' (whatever that means) right now. Plus, he's something of an aficionado of the works of Ivan Illich -whose insight is especially useful in these times. So he graciously agreed to come back on the show to prove that two heads are definitely better than one. We explore the possible why of Christianity's resurgence, who 'owns' it and what happens if we don't engage, plus its different forms and mutations. Then we turn to Ivan Illich himself, beginning with a biography and an overview of his thought, before finishing with what he might have to say about these very strange times we are living through. (And depending on when you catch this episode, there is still time to get in on some Illich discussions with Dougald. Details in the show notes. An excellent discussion. Enjoy! Show Notes Dougald's Substack. Subscribe for access details for the Illich discussions. Here's a series from Dougald's substack called Into The Deep exploring Christianity's return: The Ruined Church. Stranger Friends. What Happened in the Cathedral. Regrowing A Living Culture: A School Called Home. Dougald's first appearance on the show, discussing At Work In The Ruins.

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2023

Rhyd Wildermuth returns to the show on the occasion of his latest book launch, Here Be Monsters. So we have a freewheeling chat about the mutation and fall of leftism, the what and where of activism accordingly, whether things are getting 'worse' or 'better', updated definitions of capitalism and fascism, Russell Brand, all kinds of incendiary stuff. Oh, and gay werewolves. Show Notes Get Here Be Monsters. Rhyd on Substack. Rhyd on X.

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2023

This week I had been meaning to do a World Without Sin solo show on the censorship laws rolling out around the world and their implications. Then, as we all know by now, whatever is going on with Russel Brand started happening, so we begin our story there. (It's worth noting I recorded this about 24 hours ago, before YouTube demonetised his channel.) Today's episode is a bit of a read-along so you may wish to watch the video version. Of course, all accommodation is made for the audio folks as well. No child left behind. We explore some of our looming technological dystopia and then finish off with some tactics on what to do about it. Show Notes Rune Soup on Odysee. Rune Soup on Rumble. A live event on the censorship industrial complex hosted by none other than Russel Brand himself.

Transcribed - Published: 20 September 2023

Greg Carlwood returns to the show for another instalment of the book club nobody asked for! We explore the best alternative medicine -perhaps 'true healing' or 'actually effective' is better- books that we know of. Nutrition, breathwork, light therapy, terrain theory, energy healing. It's all here, baby. Greg has spent years interviewing some of the leading lights in what allopathy absurdly calls 'alternative' healing on The Higherside Chats. So this is a really comprehensive exploration. Your wish list will have grown by the time this episode is done, that's for sure! Show Notes The Higherside Chats.

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2023

It's been one of the highlights of my year to start getting messages and images of the Fortune's Fools Lenormand oracle out in the world. And, as you might expect, it's got me thinking about fortune-telling. One of my personal creative goals for the project was the queer (lol) the Little White Book concept, and so the companion book IS my fortune-telling book, in the sense that it is a book-length exploration of the techniques and metaphysics of telling fortunes. I've been reading fortunes for two decades, teaching tarot for almost one decade and have interviewed some of the best modern minds on the subject. And so I have some takes. Several of them spicy. This week, the audio version is an off-the-cuff exploration of those takes, recorded immediately after my deck artist, Colin Alexander, and I completed a full unboxing of the deck. An unboxing obviously makes for a terrible audio-version of a podcast so this week they're completely separate. The audio version is Thoughts on Fortune Telling. The video version is Coling and my gay little unboxing and reminiscing about the deck creation journey. And there are still some decks available if you want to buy them here. (It still says pre-order, but they totally exist, I swear.) Note: James and I are travelling for the next few days. For the 36 who purchased the top-tier package, we'll be in touch next week with the dates for the training and initiation.

Transcribed - Published: 10 August 2023

One of my favourite guests returns to the show this week for a scintillating and freewheeling dive into the perennial question of whether there are aliens in the Bible. Author, researcher, psychonaut and hypnotist Danny Nemu. The impetus for this discussion is a book and a thesis that’s been translated out of Italian and into English relatively recently: Mauro Biglino’s Gods of The Bible. Speaking of translation, for years, Mauro was a translator of Biblical texts for the Vatican’s official publisher. Over the course of that work, he began to have questions about this term, ‘Elohim’, and all the other strange stuff that’s in there. So he decided to translate the Old Testament literally and what emerges is alien beings and flying saucers and all that classic Ancient Aliens fare. A few people started asking me about the Biglino hypothesis, and then Mauro himself was on Graham Hancock’s podcast. And then, Graham’s son Luke quoted from one of Danny’s books in the same podcast. Danny was the person whose take on the hypothesis I most wanted to hear because of his work on the presence of entheogens and drugs in the Bible. So that was enough of a sign for me to repeatedly peer-pressure him into buying and reading the book so we could talk about it. Anyway, he graciously obliged. So here is a Star.Ships meets ‘are there drugs in the Bible’ take on aliens, the power of language, the use of metaphor, literalism as spells and a whole lot more. Super excited for this one. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES Danny Nemu’s website. Mauro Biglino’s YouTube channel, which gives a really good overview of his thesis. My AI-generated presentation on the life and work of Zechariah Sitchin. My AI-generated presentation on Owen Barfield’s thesis on the origin of language.

Transcribed - Published: 29 July 2023

This week's solo show is a necessary side quest in our AI series up into space and out into the future. It's also a standalone exploration of: Understanding 'big' or archetypal stories, such as zodiac signs and planets, as containing all stories. Using longer cycles to formulate timing and meaning. What is yours to do in a looming world of social credit scores, digital control grids and the tyranny of niceness. And if you'd like to also listen to the Q&A, it starts around the one-hour mark of the video version over on YouTube. Enjoy! Show Note(s) A bit of a rarity for a solo show, but we have a show note. Here's a link to Dan Waites's and S. J. Anderson's discussion of the Barbault Basket.

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2023

This is one of the most fascinating discussions I have had this year. For centuries, people have speculated as to the formulation of the legendary substance of the Gods known as soma. It's something I have kept my eye on for a couple of decades now. And, as far as I can tell, Dr Etminan's research is the best pointer in the direction of what that might have been. Even better than that? His research has developed into a completely legal product you can try for yourself today. In this show, we explore exactly who the Zoroastrian Magi were, what customs and beliefs fed into their practices and what haoma might have been and how it was used. Then we'll explore Shauheen's journey toward the development and release of the Ancestral Magi products and how they can be used today. I am particularly excited to see these in the hands of visionary astrologers. Have at it! Brilliant stuff. Enjoy! Show Notes Get the Ancestral Magi supplements here. Watch Shauheen's presentation on Zoroastrian shamanism here. Shauheen on Twitter.

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2023

The one, the only Christopher Knowles returns to the show this week for a breezy romp through our near-term future. No, seriously. The end of the west offers perhaps the best time in centuries to be a weird kid. Chris and I talk about the latest UFO nonsense, modern parallels to the fall of Rome, just how long collapses actually take and what they look like for those of us who came to earth to live through one. Combined with last week's astro forecast, this is a really great discussion to have and a collection of worthy points to table in the lead-up to the final AI solo show. There's just one more piece to play coming up and then we can release those particular robot hounds. But until then, settle in and enjoy the Gospel according to Knowles! Show Notes The Secret Sun. The Secret Sun on Patreon. Chris on Twitter.

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2023

Can you believe it’s been six months since Austinmas??? Anyway, it has. A very big thank you to those who joined us on the live stream this weekend -and for all the birthday wishes. During the show, Austin and I Looked back over what hit and what didn’t these past six months. Explored some of the wider contexts of Pluto in Aquarius and what it has to do with Uranus. Tabled some scenarios for current events in Eastern Europe. Looked at the forecast for the rest of this year. Unpacked, in particular, the upcoming Venus Retrograde and how we can be with that on an individual and collective level. Answered some fun questions from the live chat at the end. Named several peacocks. You can, of course, listen to this audio version or you can watch along on YouTube below. Because it is a live show I put some slides together but, as always, they are not in the least bit necessary. (This is my long-running performance piece about how that is true of all slides in every professional setting anywhere.) Either way, enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2023

Vlogger, podcaster and cultural commentator Angie Speaks joins the show this week. We dive deep into: The medicine in Diaspora cultural experiences. Being abandoned by the Left and abandoning the Left. Political shortcomings of materialist thinking. Why the Left hates C. G. Jung. Reality tunnels. A really rich, powerful conversation. Enjoy! Show Notes Angie on YouTube. Angie on Twitter. Angie's podcast, Mystic and the Machine.

Transcribed - Published: 15 June 2023